Gas burning furnace and controls therefor



April 10, 1956 A. E. KELLY GAS BURNING FURNACE AND CONTROLS THEREFOR 2 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed June 1, 1953 ALBERT E. KELLY INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y April 10, 1956 A. E. KELLY GAS BURNING FURNACE AND CONTROLS THEREFOR Filed June 1, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ALBERT E. KELLY INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent" GAS BURNING FURNACE comets REFOR Albert E. Kelly, Los Angeles, Calif. Application Jun 53, fl'i NQ- 3 3, 5

4 c fl llfil- 2 1- 1 invention relates generally to heating apparatus and relates more particularlyto improvements in gas fur aces- While not confined thereto, the present invention is shown and described as embodied in a gas furnace of the floor type, A number of difiiculties are encountered in furnaces of this type. For example, servicing such furnaces is often a very diflicult matter due to the fact that certain of the control parts or devices are at or adjacent to the bottom of the furnace and the service difficulties are increased where the lower portion of the furnace is disposed in a small hole or pit, as is the case many installations. The person or persons servicing such furnaces. must get under the house and try to get at the various parts and/or devices needing adjustment, repair or replacement, such, parts generally being below the ground level. It i s, therefore, anobjcct of the present invention to overcome the foregoing difiiculties.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein servicing problems are ampli ied- Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein servicing of said apparatus isrnuch easier than heretofore and effects a great saving and requires far less time.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character having an improved arrangement oi the parts and/or deviceand also. having greater accessibility.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this, character wherein it is easier to install ndt la pa Y Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes, onlyj Fig. l is a'diagrammatic view of a furnace embodying the present invention;

Fig 2, is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a partial plan view f such a furnace;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 44 of Fig, 1;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig 2;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6 -6 of Pig, 2; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative arrange'ment.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a floor furnace comprising anoutcr shell or casing lllwithin which isa firebox 11 mounted in the casing. in the well-known manner and having the usual vents, not shown.

The furnace isv r ceived in an opening 12,- in floor 13 and is secured in the well-known manner with the upper open end 14 of the casing- 10 in substantially the same pla e as the upper surface of said floor.

s snr ided by m ans of a upp ysp pe 15. which is c nec e w th a uitable our e 0t f el and'saidP P 15 is connected with a pressure regulator; 16 having an 2 95; pips.- J, a. par icu- Qt which extends: upwardly ented .Anr- 1924 within the casing 10 and which is connected to a vertically extending portion 1 9 of a manual shutoff valve indicated gener llY at 20.

Valve 20, which is of the same construction as the valve 20a in Fig. 5, includes, a body portion 21 arranged vertically wtih a horizontally projecting part 22 The part 22 is tubular and is externally threaded at 27 for reception of an internally threaded nut 25 which secures an outwardly flanged portion 26 of a nipple 24 to said part 22. The opposite end of the nipple 24 is externally threaded and is screwed into an internally threaded open} ing provided therefor in a safety shutoff valve, indicated generally at 30. The valve 30 has a gas connection with a pilot burner 31, said; connection including conduits 32;, manually controlled valve 33 and tube 34 from said valve 33 to the pilot 31. The tube 34 has an expanded end 34a for reception in a recess provided therefor inportion 33a of said valve 33. Portion 33a is externally-threaded at 33b and a 'nut 34c secures the expanded portion 34a of tube 34 to the adapter portion 33a. Safety shutofif valve 30 is also connected by a pipe orconduit 35' with a direct acting valve, indicated generally at 36.

Valve 36 is connected by a conduit 37 witha valve 20:: which is manually controlled and has the same construction as the valve-'20, saidvalve 20:: being connected to the burner 38'bymeans of conduits 39, 46 and 41 which are suitably-connected together by elbows 42. Valve 36 is electrically'connected by'wires 44 with wall thermostat-45 supplied by power from a transformer 46 through wires 41, said transformer being connected with a source of current through wires 48. A thermocouple or pilot generator 50 is connected by wires 51- with the safety shutoff valve 3%.

The valve Zilais shown in detail in Fig. 5 and-includes a movable valve member 53 for. an actuating stem 54 which extends upwardly, the upper end of said stem 5L4 being below the floor level, as best shown in Fig. 1'. The valve 20 alsohasa movable. valve memberilfrom which extends an actuating stem 55'which also. terminates adjacent the floor level.

Valve. 33 is. shown in detail in Fig. 6 and. includes a movable valve. member 57- from which extends upwardly an actuating stem 58, the upper free end of said stem 58 also terminating adjacent the floor level. A floor plate and grill, indicated generally at 60, covers the. opening 12 in the. floor. and alsothe. top. of the furnace, said floor platenandgrill having. a plateportion 61 and; a. grill portion 62. The; plate portion. 61 has recesses: 63 and pressed therein with. openings at the bottom for reception oftherespectivestems 5.8;a11d 54 of the valves 33. and- 20a.

Thus, thezupper endsof'said stems 58 and54 are exposed for. reception of .a key 66 or other actuating device. but said upper ends do not extend above the plate portion 1 an arep etected so as nqt cbe ru k-by e ornateqna who might, l s e e th urnace The valve 20 is aggcessible by removal of the plate and grill members 611 and is for the, purpose ofi manually turning on or oil the gas supply to the furnace. The safety 'shutotl valve '30 provides the automatic safety shutoif for the' furnace when the pilot flame is extinguished. This valve is ofknown type construction and operation and includes a manual reset having a reset button 70; The valve is held open by millivoltage generated bythe thermocouple or pilot generator.

The directacting valve 36is alsoof a known-type and is-adapted to open and close the fuel line to the burner in accordance with the demand of the room thermostat 45. Thethermostat shown at 45 is of known type which may. be. set for: a desired: room temperature andwhich willgso control the valve 36 as to maintain such temperature.

Should it be necessary to service or replace any=othe controls 20, 30, 33, 36 or a, said controls are readily accessible by lifting the plate and grill member 60. The controls are compactly associated at the upper end of the furnace casing 10. and the various units may be readily disconnected from other units for replacement or servicing. This arrangement reduces costs and saves a great deal of servicing time. In Fig. 4,'the pilot burner or pilot generator'is shown attached to a fixed support 75 which is part of the housing assembly, indicated generally at 76, the pilot burner having a bracket 77 which is secured to said member 75 by screws 78 or the like. i

In Fig. 7, an alternative arrangement of the system 7 is shown wherein a self-operated diaphragm valve, 80, is

used instead of the direct acting valve 36. The valve 86 has an electrical connection by wires 81 and. 82 with a thermostat 45a. The thermocouple cable or pilot generator cable 51 is connected to the terminals of the valve and the valve 80 is connected in parallel, by wires 83, with the valve 30. In this arrangement, the transformer is eliminated.

I claim: i

1. In heating apparatus of the class described: means defining a shell of sheet metal open at the upper end and adapted to be secured with said upper end at substantially the upper surface of the floor; a fire box in said shell; a manual shutoff valve within the shell adjacent the upper end thereof; a gas conduit connected to the inlet side of said valve, said valve having an upstanding stem for actuating same with the upper free end of said stem disposed adjacent to but below the plane of the upper end of said shell, said valve also having a short horizontally extending externally threaded outlet part; a short nipple having one end flanged and operably received in said outlet part;

an internally threaded nut on, said threaded outlet part engaging the flange of said nipple to secure same to said shut ofi valve; a safety shutoff valve having its inlet connected to, the opposite end of said nipple so that said safety shutoff valve and manual shutoff valve are disposed closely adjacent to each other; a manually controlled pilot shutoff valve having a connection with said safety shutoff valve, said manually controlled pilot shutoff valve being disposed closely adjacent said safetyshutoif valve and having an upstanding stem, the upper end of said stem being located in substantially the same plane as the upper end of the stem of the manual shutoff valve; and automatically operating valve for controlling the main gas flow, said valve being communicatively connected to the safety shutoff valve and being located closely adjacent same, the outlet opening of said automatically operating valve being internally threaded; a short nipple having 'one end externally threaded and received in said outlet opening of the automatically operating valve, said nipple having a flange at the opposite end; a manually controlled burner shutoff valve disposed closely adjacent to said automatically operating valve, said burner shutoff valve having an upstanding control stem with the upper end thereof located at substantially the same plane as the upper end of the stem of the manual shutoff valve, said burner shutoff valve having an externally-threaded horizontal inlet portion receiving the flanged end of the last mentioned nipple; an internally threaded nut for said horizontal portion engageablelwith the flange of the last mentioned nipple for securing same to said burner shutoff valve; thermostatic control means operatively associated with the automatic valve for controlling same; a burner located adjacentthe lower end of the shell; means communicatively connecting said burner with said burner shutofi valve; a pilot burner in igniting relation to said first named burner; a thermocouple adjacent said pilot burner and heated thereby; means electrically connecting the thermocouple in controlling relation to said safety shutoff valve; and means communicatively connecting the manually controlled pilot shutoff valve with said .pilot burner.

2. In heating apparatus of the floor furnace type: means defining a casing of sheet metal open at the upper end and adapted to be secured with said upper end at substantially the level of the upper surface of the floor; a fire box in said shell; a manual shutoff valve'within the casing near the upper end thereof; a gas conduit extending upwardly from the bottom of the casing and connected to the inlet side of said valve for supporting same, said valve having an upstanding stem for actuating the same with the upper free end of said stem disposed adjacent to but below the plane of the upper end of the casing, said valve also having a short horizontally extending outlet part; a short nipple; means attaching one end of said nipple to said outlet part, said means providing for quick, and easy detachment of said nipple from said outlet part; a safety shutoff valve having its inlet connected to the opposite end of said nipple so that said safety shutoff valve and manual shutoff valve are disposed closely adjacent to each other; a manually controlled pilot shutoff valve having a connection with said safety shutofi valve, said manually controlled pilot shutoff valve having an upstanding stem, the upper end of said stem being located in substantially the same plane as the upper end of the stem of the manual shutofi valve; an automatically operating valve for controlling the main gas flow, said valve being communicatively connected to the safety shutoff valve and being located closely adjacent same; a manually controlled burner shutoff valve disposed closely adjacent to the safety shutoff valve, said burner shutoff valve having an upstanding control stem with the upper end thereof located in substantially the same plane as the upper end of the stem of the manual shut'ofi valve, said burner shutoff valve having a substantially horizontal externally threaded, short inlet portion; a second nipple having one end threaded for connection with the safety shutoff valve; means for securing said second nipple to the manually controlled burner shutoff valve said means being adapted to easily and quickly release said second nipple; thermostatic control means operatively associated with the automatic valve for controlling same; a burner located adjacent the lower end of the casing; means communicatively connecting said burner with said burner shutoff valve, said means including an upstanding pipe supporting said burner shutoff valve; a pilot burner in igniting relation to said first named burner; a thermocouple adjacent said pilot burner and heated thereby; means electrically connecting the thermocouple in controlling relation to said safety shutoff valve; and means communicatively connecting the manually controlled pilot shutoff valve with said pilot burner.

3. in heating apparatus of the class described: means defining a casing open at the upper end; a fire box within said casing; a manual shutoff valve within the casing, said valve being located adjacent the upper end of said casing and having a control stem readily accessible from said upper end of the casing; a safety shutoff valve in said casing located closely adjacent the manual shutoff valve; easily disconnectable means connecting said safety shutoff valve and said manual shutoff valve; a manually controlled pilot shutoif valve having a connection with the thermopilot valve, said manually controlled pilot shutoff valve being located closely adjacent the safety shutoff valve and having a control stem readily accessible-from the upper end of the casing; an automatically operated valve for controlling the main gas flow, said valve being communicatively connected to the safety shutoff valve and being located closely adjacent the same; a manually con trolled burner shutoff valve, said burner shutoff valve igniting relation to said first named burner; a thermocouple adjacent said pilot burner and heated thereby; means electrically connecting the thermocouple in controlling relation to said safety shutofi valve; and means communicatively connecting the manually controlled pilot shutoff valve with said pilot burner.

In heating apparatus of the class described: a casing opened at the upper end; means including a fire box in said casing having a main and pilot burner therein, said pilot burner being in igniting relation to the main burner; a manual shutoff valve Within the casing adjacent the upper end thereof, said valve having an upstanding stem for actuating same with the upper free end of said stem disposed adjacent the plane of the upper end of said casing; an upstanding conduit connected with the inlet of said shutoff valve and supporting said valve Within the casing; a safety shutoff valve Within said casing; means controlling said safety shutoff valve comprising a thermocouple adjacent said pilot burner and heated thereby; means electrically connecting the thermocouple in controlling relation to the safety shutofi valve, said valves being disposed closely adjacent to each other; quickly and easily disconnectible means connecting said valves together; a manually controlled pilot shutoff valve in said casing communicatively connected with said pilot burner and having a connection with the safety shutofi valve, said manually controlled shutofl valve having an upstanding stem, the upper end of said stem being located in substantially the same plane as the stem of the manual shutoff valve; an automatically operating valve for controlling the main gas flow, thermostatic means controlling said automatically operative valve, said valve being disposed in said casing and being communicatively connected with the safety shutoff valve and located closely adjacent same; a manually controlled burner shutotf valve in said casing, said burner shutoff valve being located closely adjacent to said automatic valve and having an upstanding control stem with the upper end thereof located in substantially the same plane as the stem of the manual shutofl? valve. all of said valves being disposed close to the upper end of said casing; easily and quickly disconnectible means connecting the manually controlled burner shutofi? valve to the automatic valve; and an upstanding conduit connected to the manually controlled burner shutoff valve and supporting same Within said casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,591,889 Schmitt July 6, 1926 2,131,221 Crarey Sept. 27, 1938 2,168,749 Olds Aug. 8, 1939 2,275,267 Mueller Mar. 3, 1942 2,622,586 Loughner Dec. 23, 1952 

